(Part 2/2)
I am aware that, because of this fact, many Muslims argue that this passage is not referring to all Jews, but a select few. Yet when we look at the original Arabic, and go to the specific parts regarding the Jews and Christians, we find no differentiation:
wa qalati al-yahoodu: The Jews say…
wa qalati al-nnasara: The Christians say…
source]
The grammar is practically the same for both. We know that the Quran consistently charges the Christians with false beliefs concerning Christ, therefore just as this must refer to all Christians, so it must also refer to all Jews. The Quranic text itself (as well as the majority of translations) is very clear: the Jews and the Christians worship men as the Son of God. If it is indeed referring to only a small number of Jews, why the use of such language in this passage?
Also, why is there no further differentiation between Judaism and its sects in the previous and following verses? The language of the Quran (just as in S. 9:30) is not specific but broad. S. 9:31, in fact, continues the charge against all Christians and keeps the same language.
Also problematic for this explanation is the fact that
Mohammad himself said Jews worshiped Ezra as the Son of God, as found in valid hadith sources discussing what will happen to unbelievers in hell:
“…Then the Jews will be called upon and it will be said to them, ‘Who do you use to worship?’ They will say, ‘
We used to worship Ezra, the son of Allah.’ It will be said to them, ‘You are liars, for Allah has never taken anyone as a wife or a son’…” [Sahih Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 105; emphasis mine]
And again:
“…Then it will be said to the Jews, ‘What did you use to worship?’ They will reply, ‘
We used to worship Ezra, the son of Allah.’ It will be said to them, ‘You are liars, for Allah has neither a wife nor a son’…” [Sahih Bukhari Volume 9, Book 93, Number 532s; emphasis mine]
And again:
“…Then the Jews would be summoned, and it would be said to them: What did you worship? They will say:
We worshipped 'Uzair, son of Allah. It would be said to them: You tell a lie; Allah had never had a spouse or a son…” [Sahih Muslim Book 001, Number 0352; emphasis mine]
Therefore according to Mohammad, Jews will be cursed in hell and called liars because they worship Ezra as the Son of God…
again, something which Jews do not do.
I’m curious if any Muslims on this forum can respond to all this and perhaps explain it better for us.